This work aimed to evaluate the postharvest shelf life of cantaloupe melons type (Cucumis melo L. var Cantaloupensis), genotype Nun 3984, harvested in two maturation stages (Stage II and IV). The fruits were harvested in the agricultural region of Mossoró-Assu, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The region is characterized by hot dry summers with maximum and minimum temperatures of 33ºC and 29ºC, respectively. Storage of fruits took place at a temperature of 20ºC and relative humidity of 50 %. The fruits were checked individually at five-day intervals. A 2 x 6 factorial completely randomized design with three replications was used (two fruits per plot). The factorial consisted of two maturation stages (II and IV) and six storage periods (0; 5; 10; 15; 20 and 25 days). During this period the pulp firmness, weight loss, soluble solids content, external and internal appearances were evaluated. There was a significant interaction among the studied factors and pulp firmness. The pulp firmness was of 30.07 N and 18.75 N at the harvest date and 5.32 N and 3.50 N after 25 days of storage, respectively, for stages of maturation II and IV. The soluble solids content presented for this genotype (7% to 9%) was not enough for the external market. The weight loss was of 6.26% and 6.67% at 20 and 25 days of storage, respectively. The fruits reached at 20 days of storage the grade 3.1 (average deterioration) and 4.0 (little deterioration) for external and internal appearances, respectively, in the two maturation stages. They were therefore considered marketable.
Cucumis melo; shelf life; storage
